- Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
- Language: English, French
- Subtitles: English, French
- Region: (US and Canada This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
- Number of discs: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Warner Home Video
- Release Date: Dec 21 1999
- Run Time: 142 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (651 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0000399WI
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#12,715 in DVD (See Top 100 in DVD)
- #16 in DVD > Mystery & Suspense > Crime > Prison Films
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Product Description
Amazon.com Essential Video
When this popular prison drama was released in 1994, some critics complained that the movie was too long (142 minutes) to sustain its story. Those complaints miss the point, because the passage of time is crucial to this story about patience, the squeaky wheels of justice, and the growth of a life-long friendship. Only when the film reaches its final, emotionally satisfying scene do you fully understand why writer-director Frank Darabont (adapting a novella by Stephen King) allows the story to unfold at its necessary pace, and the effect is dramatically rewarding. Tim Robbins plays a banker named Andy who's sent to Shawshank Prison on a murder charge, but as he gets to know a life-term prisoner named Red (Morgan Freeman), we realize there's reason to believe the banker's crime was justifiable. We also realize that Andy's calm, quiet exterior hides a great reserve of patience and fortitude, and Red comes to admire this mild-mannered man who first struck him as weak and unfit for prison life. So it is that The Shawshank Redemption builds considerable impact as a prison drama that defies the conventions of the genre (violence, brutality, riots) to illustrate its theme of faith, friendship, and survival. Nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Actor, and Screenplay, it's a remarkable film that signaled the arrival of a promising new filmmaker--a film that many movie lovers count among their all-time favorites. --Jeff Shannon
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
A Modern Classic
Jan 11 2009
Format:Blu-ray
The Movie itself: The Shawshank Redemption is not just another movie, its not another movie adaptation either. Its a tale of hope & redemption. Its rated No.1 on IMDB by users, and often ranks amongst top 5 movies on other internet ranking sites. Often dubbed as a modern classic, this movie has developed a cult following and is considered as best on screen adaptation of a Stephen King story. I can go on typing pages about how good this movie is and how absorbed I am in it every time I see it, but I think you all get the point, so let's move on to the fun stuff.
Video: I have owned this movie in all the formats ever released, the original DVD, the 10th Anniversary Edition and now this one. Yes this one by far is the best. The helicopter shots of the prison and its yards are simply gorgeous. I found the picture to be a little too smooth in some close up shots but sitting 6-10 feet away I doubt if anyone will notice that. The colors pallet is very consistent and gives us very little to complain. Warner's 1080p/VC-1 encode presented in 1.85:1 aspect ratio is a wonderful upgrade for the previous owners of the movie who have upgraded to HDTV sets.
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 is perfectly balanced. From the dialogue to sobbing, screams & whispers the sound is crystal clear. There are no action sequences and Bourne Trilogy type chases in this movie, so the soundtrack and the level of its loudness leaves very little to be desired.
Final Words: From "When those bars slam home, you know its for real" to "Get busy livin' or Get busy Dyin'" this movie is what true Hollywood cinema is all about. From being a box office failure to a moderate success (when it got 7 academy nominations) this epic has turned in to a must watch movie in Home Video history. Blockbuster and Netflix still rank this movie as one of the most rented movies in their database and there is a good reason for it........ its a brilliant movie with a huge replay value, one never gets tired of it. Highly recommended.
Video: I have owned this movie in all the formats ever released, the original DVD, the 10th Anniversary Edition and now this one. Yes this one by far is the best. The helicopter shots of the prison and its yards are simply gorgeous. I found the picture to be a little too smooth in some close up shots but sitting 6-10 feet away I doubt if anyone will notice that. The colors pallet is very consistent and gives us very little to complain. Warner's 1080p/VC-1 encode presented in 1.85:1 aspect ratio is a wonderful upgrade for the previous owners of the movie who have upgraded to HDTV sets.
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 is perfectly balanced. From the dialogue to sobbing, screams & whispers the sound is crystal clear. There are no action sequences and Bourne Trilogy type chases in this movie, so the soundtrack and the level of its loudness leaves very little to be desired.
Final Words: From "When those bars slam home, you know its for real" to "Get busy livin' or Get busy Dyin'" this movie is what true Hollywood cinema is all about. From being a box office failure to a moderate success (when it got 7 academy nominations) this epic has turned in to a must watch movie in Home Video history. Blockbuster and Netflix still rank this movie as one of the most rented movies in their database and there is a good reason for it........ its a brilliant movie with a huge replay value, one never gets tired of it. Highly recommended.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
One of the best movies ever deserves a better DVD.
Sep 30 2002
Format:DVD
If I were to rate this based on the movie alone, it would get 5 stars, no contest. But the fact that the DVD is so unremarkable drags the rating down much lower than the movie deserves. Keep reading and you'll see my reasons.
I cannot praise the movie well enough, since it is one of my all time favorites. It tells the story of Andy Defresne (Tim Robbins), a banker who was wrongfully convicted of murder, and spent 19 years in prison for it. During his time, he befriends a pretty, but intellegent, crook (Morgan Freeman), and their bond solidifies as the years grow. Dufresne himself makes a difference in almost all the prisoner's lives, by showing that the cruelty of the prison cannot darken his will and spirit. It is an inspiring movie, it's almost hard to believe that it is based on a Stephen King story. Everything about the movie fits, the acting, the writing, and the entertainment. It is an exceptional movie.
Why is it that Warner decided to release this great movie in DVD devoid of quality extras. Next to one theatrical trailer, some totally uninteresting filographies, and a paper-thin photo gallery, there is nothinh else of interest beside the movie itself. There are no commentaries, no featurettes, and no insight from the filmmakers. Basically, everything you would want is not included on the DVD. But worse yet is the packaging. I don't know why Warner thinks that it's a good idea to sell DVDs in those cheap "Snapper" cased (The thin cardboard with a plastic frame that 'snaps' on the side), because it will not last long without getting dinged and scratched. As a principle, I refuse to buy movies in "Snapper" cases. This was the one exception.
If you already have the VHS version, the only real incentive to get the DVD is the anamorphic widescreen transfer, which gives the picture a crisp, clear look. The sound quality is also nicely kicked up, and it's a special benefit to those with surround sound, because it's the next best thing to actually being in the theatre.
One of the biggest qualms I have with the standard of DVDs today is that second-rate movies get the 2-disc "all inclusive" DVD treatment, while brilliant movies like "The Shawshank Redemption" get the minimalist, barren treatment. I am hoping that they will release a special edition DVD sometime in the near future, because this is not the "definitave edition" of the movie. Fingers crossed.
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Most recent customer reviews
Hope is not a dangerous thing
The Shawshank Redemption sits at the top of the IMDB Top 250 with a rating of 9.2/10, so it clearly appeals to the majority of those who have seen it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Steven Aldersley
Movies
I purchased this movie and it was great. The package came really quick and the price was better than I could get anywhere else. I will certainly purchase other things from amazon.
Published 8 months ago by Ruth
Incredible Movie
First, Amazon ROCKS with it's fast delivery, easy check-out, and amazing service! This Blu-ray movie gives us insight how prison can change a person. Read more
Published 14 months ago by ck
A++
I did not watch it yet, but super fast shipping and very good price !
Published on Feb 7 2010 by André Lessard
Magic!
Shawshank is the Best movie, ever! It keeps one immersed until the very end; wonderful story telling with awesome acting from classy actors. A must see!
Published on Aug 20 2009 by S. Mitchell
Get Busy Livin' or Get Busy Dyin'. Brilliant movie!
"Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'" is the theme of this great prison film about second chances. This movie stars Morgan Freeman as 'Red' and Tim Robbins as 'Andy' an innocent... Read more
Published on Jan 26 2009 by Rachel M. Banks
This is still one of my favorites
I cannot count how many times I have watched this movie. And I will probably watch it again and again. It still remains one of my favorites after seeing it many times. Read more
Published on Mar 8 2008 by Tarita Walton
Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
How many ways can I list why this is best movie of all time?
1. The most perfect ending of any movie I've ever seen. 2. Read more
1. The most perfect ending of any movie I've ever seen. 2. Read more
Published on Dec 16 2007 by Rassool Auckbaraullee
moving and emotionally impactful(if you liked "The Green Mile" you...
like "The Shawshank Redemption,"The Green Mile" is another case of a
Stephen King story which translates well from the page to the screen. Read more
Stephen King story which translates well from the page to the screen. Read more
Published on Aug 20 2007 by falcon
The Shawshank Redemption
A lot of fancy words have been used in some reviews of this film. If you want my advice, this is simply the best film you will probably see. Read more
Published on Mar 1 2005 by Mark
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